Betancourt was suspended July 8 after testing positive for a
banned performance-enhancing substance. He was already on the
disabled list with a shoulder injury when his suspension was
announced.

To make room for Betancourt, the Indians optioned reliever
Fausto Carmona to Triple-A Buffalo.

Last week, Betancourt, who is 2-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 29 games,
said he would appeal the suspension. He acknowledged taking an
over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medicine while pitching winter
ball in his native Venezuela.

Betancourt is the sixth player suspended under Major League
Baseball's policy, which began in March. There have been 77 players
suspended under the minor league program.

Carmona was recalled from the minors Sunday but didn't appear in
the Indians' series finale against the Chicago White Sox. He went
6-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts at Double-A Akron and 2-0 in three
starts with the Bisons.

Jones, batting fifth in the Braves' lineup for the first time
since 1995, drove a 1-1 pitch from Kevin Correia into the
right-field stands more than 420 feet away in the first inning.

The homer snapped Jones' 0-for-18 slump -- the second-worst of
his career, behind an 0-for-23 skid in 2000. The drive, which
followed a two-run shot by Andruw Jones, put the Braves up 3-0.

Chipper Jones was in a 1-for-27 slump when he went on the DL on
June 6 with a partially torn ligament in his left foot. He was
batting .282 with seven homers and 26 RBI this season before
missing the previous 35 games.

The only switch-hitter in baseball history with a career .300
average and 300 homers, Jones is the third big-name player to
rejoin the injury-plagued Braves in the last three days.

Right-hander Tim Hudson returned Saturday to pitch against theNew York Mets after missing a month with a strained muscle in his
side, and left-hander Mike Hampton returned Sunday from a six-week
absence with a strained left forearm.

To make room on their roster, Atlanta optioned right-handerRoman Colon to Triple-A Richmond. Colon, who made four recent
starts as a fill-in for injured teammates, is 1-5 with a 5.28 ERA
this season.

Colon made the trip to San Francisco before learning of his
assignment. He sat at his locker in street clothes while his
teammates played cards and stretched before the game.

Bellhorn was injured diving for Jason Giambi's grounder in the
fourth inning of Sunday night's game against the New York Yankees.
Bellhorn is batting .216 with 20 doubles, seven homers and 28 RBI.
He leads the major leagues with 109 strikeouts.

Youkilis hit .286 with one homer and nine RBI in 26 games over
two previous stints with the Red Sox this season.

Colorado Rockies: The Rockies activated right-handerJose Acevedo from the 15-day disabled list, and he threw one inning of scoreless relief to earn the win in a 5-4 victory over
the Nationals.

Acevedo, who missed 43 games with a right groin strain, allowed
one hit in the eighth inning.

Colorado sent left-hander Bobby Seay outright to Triple-A
Colorado Springs on Sunday to open a roster spot.

Acevedo was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 18 innings over 15 relief
appearances this season.

Outfielder Matt Holliday was expected to join the Rockies in
Washington, where they opened a three-game series Monday night. The
team planned to activate him Tuesday.

Holliday went on the disabled list June 10 with a broken right
pinkie finger.

Known as "El Duque," Hernandez went on the DL on June 15 for the
second time this season with tightness in his right shoulder.
He is slated to start Monday night's game against Detroit.

In his last start June 14, the 35-year-old Hernandez allowed six
runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 10-4 loss to Arizona.

Signed as a free agent in December, Hernandez is 7-2 with a 4.88
ERA this season. He also was on the DL in May with shoulder
soreness.

Last year, Hernandez was limited to 15 starts after recovering
from shoulder surgery and went 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA for the New York Yankees. In his career, the Cuban refugee is 68-42 with a
4.03 ERA and has a sterling 9-3 mark in the postseason.

The White Sox haven't exactly missed Hernandez, going 18-7 in
his absence to improve to 61-29, the best record in the major
leagues. Buoyed by All-Stars Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, they
lead the American League with a 3.52 ERA.

In another move to bolster the pitching staff, the White Sox
designated struggling righthander Shingo Takatsu for assignment.

The first Japanese-born player to appear with the club, Takatsu,
36, has been a major disappointment in his second year with the
White Sox. After saving 19 games last season, Takatsu entered
the season as the team's closer but quickly lost the job.

In 31 appearances this year, he is 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA and eight
saves in nine opportunities.

Chicago also optioned first baseman Ross Gload to Class AAA
Charlotte after his successful rehabilitation stint. Gload, who
was placed on the DL on April 30 with left shoulder
inflammation, hit .154 in seven games with the White Sox.

Baltimore Orioles: Lefthander Erik Bedard had a lot to do
with the Orioles' quick start. The Orioles are hoping
his return will key a strong finish.

Bedard, who has missed nearly two months with a knee strain, was
activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday in time to start
against the Minnesota Twins.

The 26-year-old Bedard went on the DL on May 26 with a strained
MCL in his left knee. Prior to his injury, he was one of the
hottest pitchers in the American League and led the Orioles in
nearly every major pitching category.

Baltimore bolted to a surprising 30-16 start behind Bedard, who
went 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 52 strikeouts in nine starts. Over
his last seven starts, his ERA is 0.82.

Without Bedard, the Orioles (49-42) have gone 19-26 and
relinquished first place in the American League East Division.
They have not reached the postseason since 1997.

Loretta, who had been on the 60-day DL, and Nevin are expected
to be in the starting lineup when the Padres open a series at theNew York Mets on Tuesday.

The Padres also purchased the contract of right-hander Clay Hensley from Triple-A Portland.

To make room on the roster, right-handed reliever Rudy Seanez
was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 8, with
a strained right shoulder, outfielder Ben Johnson was optioned to
Triple-A Portland and left-handed reliever Dennys Reyes was put on
waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release.

Triple-A pitcher Miguel Asencio also was put on waivers for the
purpose of his unconditional release, clearing a 40-man roster spot
for Loretta.

Loretta had surgery on May 24 to repair a strained ligament in
his left thumb. He was injured while sliding headfirst into first
base against Atlanta on May 18.

Nevin was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 26,
retroactive to June 21, with a strained stomach muscle. He's
batting .268 (69-for-257) with nine home runs and 47 RBI.

Information from The Associated Press and SportsTicker was used in this report.